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Can David Haye Breathe Life Into The Heavyweight Division?

Total Pro Sports – Britain’s David Haye announced his arrival in the heavyweight division with a devastating fifth-round knockout of Monte Barrett at the O2 arena in London.

Haye was fighting for the first time since demolishing Enzo Maccarinelli for the WBC, WBA and WBO cruiser weight world titles, knocked down Barrett four times before ending the fight with a powerful right-left combination in the fifth round. His opponent had done well to last as long as he did, somehow climbing off the canvas twice in both the third and fourth rounds.

David Haye has big ambitions to reignite the heavyweight division and has done his chances of facing either of the two Ukrainian world champions Vitali or Wladimir Klitschko no harm, with such a stunning performance over a seasoned heavyweight in Monte Barrett, who had previously fought Wladimir Klitschko in 2000, were he was also knocked out, that time in seven rounds.

Haye spoke after the fight about his impressive step in weight against a credible opponent with a decent heavyweight record (34-7-0).

“Monte Barrett has been around the block and I despatched of him in good style, I want to be heavyweight champion of the world and to do that I want to beat one of the Klitschko brothers. I’ve got big plans, big dreams. I’m made for big stadiums.” He Said

The “Hayemaker” has promised to breathe life into a stagnant heavyweight division and become Britain’s first unified World Heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis. Haye’s natural speed and athleticism that he’s retained even though bulking up to heavyweight will certainly ignite the division, but what was even more impressive about his victory was power he possessed during the fight proving he is a natural heavyweight, he’s knockout record now stands at twenty from twenty-two fights.

I’m the number one cruiserweight in the world. Now I want to clean up the heavyweight division. I have the power to slay the giant. As I said to you guys I am explosive, I’m entertaining and I throw bombs from the start,”. I’m the hardest puncher pound for pound in boxing.” He added.

David Haye then spoke not only his aspirations to fight the Klitschko brothers but what would happen if faced either brother.

I will end up victorious. I don’t mind if it is Wladimir or Vitali, they are the best in the world. It will be a huge fight so let’s make it happen, I can feel it.” He said

Vitali, the reigning WBC champion watched at ringside and spoke of Haye’s first performance as fully-fledged heavyweight. “I was very impressed. Next year it will be a great fight for me or my brother in a big arena in London or Germany” he said.

So can David Haye reignite the floundering heavyweight division?. He has all the assets, the speed, the power, the ego and in an era of padded records, he has the willingness to fight anybody. As shown by his victory against Jean Marc-Mormeck in his adopted home nation of France. But Haye also has a vulnerability factor that generates excitement because nobody including himself knows whether he can take the powerful punches the Klitschko brothers possess.